Management

Veterinary Feed Directives Are Here: What Have You Done? In an effort to bring antimicrobials used in food-producing animals under increased veterinarian supervision, the FDA has issued guidance #209, #213, and a final rule on the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD). Dr. Chris Rademacher from Iowa State University provides an overview of the on-farm changes that will have been in effect since January 1. Jeff Verzal, a livestock compliance investigator for IDALS, also provides an auditor's perspective on how the rules will be interpreted on your farm. And Dr. Paul Thomas discusses the systems approach AMVC has taken to comply with these changes. [video].

Prices and Profitability: Economic Outlook Dr. Steve Meyer shares and evaluation of the many factors that may impact producer profitability in the coming year, including grain and livestock prices, exports, domestic demand, additional slaughter capacity, health challenges and more. [video].

Evaluation of Antibiotic Alternatives for Nursery Pigs In the coming years, there will almost certainly be an increase in the use of feed-grade antibiotic alternatives in swine production due to restrictions on feed-grade antibiotics for pig performance. Thus, there is a need to understand effective ways to evaluate dietary antibiotic alternatives in swine production. This presentation provides an overview and evaluation of published data to known antibiotic alternatives that may influence nursery pig growth performance. The antibiotic alternatives evaluated and discussed will include prebiotics, probiotics, resistant starch/fiber, botanicals, organic acids, lysozymes, oligosaccharides, yeast, and zinc and copper. [video].

SwineCast 0965 Show Notes:

• The Morrison Group unites to discuss updated economic information related to PRRS cost to the U.S. swine industry with Iowa State's Dr. Derald Holtkamp.

SwineCast 0962 Show Notes:

• National Pork Board Chief Executive Office Bill Even offers his first report to Pork Forum.

SwineCast 0957 Show Notes:

• The National Pork Board's Vice President of Science and Technology, Dr. Dave Pyburn discusses industry adoption of Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) regulations and issues as he talks with Dave Russell.

Modeling the Survival of Foreign Animal Diseases in Feed Ingredients From China to the US Dr. Scott Dee at Pipestone Veterinary Services is tracking feed components as possible disease vectors. He shares some thoughts on this with, highlighting several of the experiments run to prove viruses can survive container shipping from over seas. Dr. Dee suggests that all the touch points along the feed ecosystem pathway need attention so producers and feed mill operators can evaluate and respond to the risks [video].

SwineCast 0956 Show Notes:

• Chelsea Good, Vice President, Government and Industry Affairs at Livestock Marketing Association visits with Dave Russell about the Animal Care Standards Workshop at the conclusion of the National Institute for Animal Agriculture's annual conference in Columbus, OH April 4-6, 2017.